How long will power stay on after you move out?

FlorayG

playlister82 said:

elsien said:

No one is going to be turning the power off, it doesn’t work like that.
All they will do is send out any bills after her supposed moving out date to “the occupier” If they don’t have the name of anyone new to send them to. 

Just phone and explain that she’s still there.

Thanks this was what I suspected. Just out of curiosity if someone has moved out and the electricity presumably isn't being used, does it stay on indefinitely or do they switch off eventually? 

This house was empty for over a year before I moved in. There were endless letters on the mat to the previous owner ( who never lived there, it was a rental before I bought it) for the last 14 months supply and standing charge. It took me ages to get EDF to understand that this wasn't ever their address but eventually they stopped sending letters here so I expect it was paid.
Your mother needs to take a reading on the day she moves out and one in the new property the day she moves in. A photograph of the meter is really helpful too as here, EDF had wildly overestimated the bills ( because they didn't know the house was empty) and wouldn't believe the readings I sent them until I sent them a photo as evidence

Scot_39

playlister82 said:

Bit of a strange question here. My mum is a social housing tenant and about to move to a new property in the next couple of weeks. Unfortunately, she jumped the gun a bit and already informed British Gas that she has moved. I am worried that British Gas will turn off the power in the place that she is still residing in, as she hasn't fully moved yet. The final moving date isn't confirmed.

I'm sure we can contact British Gas to rectify the mistake, but I am still slightly concerned that she may end up having a period without power before that can happen. I have no idea how long British Gas and other energy suppliers tend to take with these things.

Can anyone advise and (hopefully) put my mind at rest here?

Until she gives final readings - unless smart meter - they shouldn't issue a final bill.

Even when they do they don't normally cut off supply.

I guess the HA or council becomes liable during any void period.  But with waiting lists as thry are unless property needs work ggat shouldn't be long.

You do need to call and rectify with your mum present to grant authority (unless you have registered LPA or a letter of authority to represent her - they shouldnt realky legally accept your instruction) -  ASAP though - depending on what exactly was said when she called.

Scot_39

elsien said:

Electricity doesn’t just get switched off. It’s not being used, the standing charges are still building up. So the utility company will be sending letters requesting  contact about the building up debts for quite a long time. Eventually, they will escalate to court, normally to get a warrant for a prepayment meter to be put in. 

Rental properties tend not to be empty for that long and during any void periods the landlord is responsible for the bills. 

There isn’t a switch the provider  can just turn on and off at will. 

There is iirc some posts from anti smart brigade provision for such a switch in an electric smart meter.

Must recheck the 2012 gov spec on that one though.

MeteredOut

elsien said:

There isn’t a switch the provider  can just turn on and off at will. 

Please tell that to the many people who believe any sort of rubbish about smart meters.

northernstar007

sorry to bring this old thread up
i am just curious, my parent passed away a few weeks ago living in council accom, informed octopus and they were great, give them a final reading and now the account online is more or less dead and a £40 refund on its way to her bank acc, keys been handed back to council, so my question is has the electric been turned off if not who is paying the standing charge, i know my parent estate is no longer responsible for it now as its been confirmed by octopus and nobody has moved into the property as of yet

elsien

The landlord will be responsible for all charges in between the previous tenancy ending and any new one starting. That’s why anyone moving into a property should always take photos of the meters in case of a dispute. 

northernstar007

elsien said:

The landlord will be responsible for all charges in between the previous tenancy ending and any new one starting. That’s why anyone moving into a property should always take photos of the meters in case of a dispute. 

but its the council that owns it, so they are paying for all empty council properties?

elsien

Yes. They are the landlord. 

molerat

northernstar007 said:

elsien said:

The landlord will be responsible for all charges in between the previous tenancy ending and any new one starting. That’s why anyone moving into a property should always take photos of the meters in case of a dispute. 

but its the council that owns it, so they are paying for all empty council properties?

They should be as the responsible party.